Sebastian approves $832,286 Phase 3 paving purchase order; Barber Street work to start in June

The City of Sebastian City Council on May 14 authorized issuance of purchase orders not to exceed $832,286.63 for Phase 3 of the city’s road‑repaving and preservation program.

City staff told council the Phase 3 work is budgeted and the purchase order amount is below the budgeted allocation because of cost savings on swale work, driveway culverts and the paving portion of the contract. Staff estimated the work will be completed by June or early July.

At the meeting a council member explained how the project is funded: roughly $189,000 of the Phase 3 amount will come from the local option gas tax and about $642,000 from discretionary sales tax revenues allocated to the city (money collected from visitor and local spending and returned through county distributions). Council emphasized that these revenue sources, not property taxes, primarily pay for the repaving effort.

Public works staff provided a schedule and technical overview for Barber Street, saying work will begin in June and continue through July. The project will run from U.S. 1 to Acorn Drive and will include full‑depth reclamation (FDR) in areas where the base needs rebuilding. Staff explained FDR reuses existing pavement and base ingredients mixed with an emulsion to create a new consolidated base, which is then compacted and surfaced with asphalt; the method is designed to extend pavement life. Staff said the city will monitor milling depths and adjust work if the base is encountered.

Council approved the purchase order on a roll call vote of the members present. Staff noted paving costs have risen in recent years — roughly 40% higher than two years ago — which reduces how far paving dollars go. City staff said they will continue to manage the repaving schedule in phases so the program can be adjusted during budget cycles as needed.